The documentary ‘Naza’, which focuses on civilian deaths in Gaza, received a remarkable response at the Venice Film Festival, where audiences reportedly gave the film a standing ovation lasting around 25 minutes following its screening.
The film was directed by Israeli journalists Yuval Abraham and Rachel Zohar. Their documentary examines the deaths of civilians in Gaza through testimonies from Israeli intelligence officers and soldiers, presenting their accounts as part of an effort to document the human impact of the conflict.
The filmmakers have expressed hope that ‘Naza’ will encourage audiences to look more closely at the events taking place in Gaza. They believe the testimonies featured in the film could make it difficult for viewers to remain silent or indifferent after confronting the accounts presented on screen.
Rather than focusing only on the broader political dimensions of the conflict, the documentary places emphasis on individual experiences, testimonies and the consequences of military operations for civilians. Through these accounts, the filmmakers attempt to create a record of events that they believe deserves greater public attention.
The film attracted significant attention at Venice following its screening. The extended standing ovation highlighted the strong reaction among viewers and placed ‘Naza’ among the festival’s closely watched entries.
‘Naza’ is also competing for the Golden Lion, one of the most prestigious awards at the Venice Film Festival. The documentary is among 21 films competing for the top prize, giving the project an opportunity to reach an even wider international audience.
